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When the general public thinks about an airport, the long, iconic runway and massive air control tower come to mind. However, not everyone understands just how important the giant air control tower is. Inside is a crew of air control technicians that have trained for years to increase safety in the skies for airplanes and citizens around the airport.

Importance of Air Traffic Control

ATC, short for air traffic control, is a ground-based service provided in the traditionally tall air control towers. Individuals, known as controllers, who work in these towers are vital for safely directing and navigating airplanes through the local airspace, to land and during take-off.

Air traffic controllers, or air traffic control officers, have an extensive amount of education and experience that enable them to command the skies with confidence. An air traffic controller applies separation rules to the aircraft that they direct. Separation rules are used to regulate the distance between airplanes and aircraft by requiring a minimum distance between them. This is to increase safety and reduce unnecessary risk for pilots and passengers.

In the ATC profession, controllers must have the capacity to make split-second decisions that will affect hundreds of lives. Air traffic controllers have one of the most mentally demanding jobs in the world in order to prevent aerial crashes. This is accomplished by unparalleled levels of communication, quick mathematical calculations, spacial awareness and the ability to keep the flow of air traffic moving smoothly.

Tools of the Trade

The air traffic control industry uses a large array of technologically advanced equipment in order to keep the runway and skies safe.

Radar Data Processing & Display Systems (RDPDS)

With the help of an RDPDS, air traffic controllers can process data from primary and secondary radars in order to accurately depict the position of aircraft and relatable information (e.g., callsign, category of aircraft, ground speed, altitude). This basic, but important information helps controllers to properly control the flow of aircraft to and from the airport.

Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)

This radar uses radio wave reflection within its effective range in order to detect and provide aircraft range and bearings.

Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)

During wartime, the secondary surveillance radar (SSR) was created in order to create the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system to determine if aircraft is friendly or hostile. Unlike the PSR, the SSR requires a specific transponder on the target aircrafts in order to identify them. In Australia, Mode C on SSR transponders can transmit the altitude to the radio tower through the use of on-board equipment.

Air Traffic Control 8 Channel RS422 Splitter

There are numerous tools, radars, sensors and equipment that make air traffic control a possibility. Equipment like the surface movement radar, surface movement guidance and control systems, advanced SMGCS and more are all vital parts of air traffic control.

An air traffic control 8 channel RS422 splitter enables important air traffic control radars and equipment to communicate with one another while providing vital information to air traffic controllers. This particular 8 channel RS422 splitter provides 8 signal outputs of RS422 data from either an RS232 or RS422 processed radar data and clock signal input. These inputs are based on the RS530 standard, according to the DTE device, and may be monitored via the front panel of an DB25F connector within RS232’s protocol.

We here at CesCom are proud to sell air traffic control equipment. If you are interested in learning more about our products, please contact our customer service team and one of our specialist will be happy to answer any questions you may have.